====== Enable ConnectX-3 EN cards on Proxmox VE 6.2 Installer ======

Proxmox VE 6.2 contains 'mlx4' kernel modules that are drivers for ConnectX-3 cards, so it can potentially use the card as NIC by doing nothing. However I don't know why PVE installer doesn't load a ''mlx4_en'' module while it loads ''mlx4_core'' one, then the installer doesn't recognise the ConnectX-3 as NIC.

This article provides how to recognise the ConnectX-3 EN card as Ethernet devices on the PVE installer.

===== Environments =====

  * Proxmox VE 6.2-1
  * ConnectX-3 Pro EN (MCX314A-BCCT)

===== Steps =====

The way is simple. You run the PVE installer in debug mode, and manually load the mlx4_en module.

Boot the installer, and choose "Install Proxmox VE (Debug Mode)" in boot menu.

{{ virtualization:proxmox_ve_6_2_debug_mode_install.png |}}

A shell appears after loading kernel, then straight to exit the shell.

The shell appears again after loading kernel modules, and run 'modprobe mlx4_en' to load an Ethernet driver for ConnectX-3.

{{ virtualization:proxmox_ve_6_2_modprobe_mlx4_en.png |}}

You get back to PVE GUI installer screen after 'exit' the shell again, then proceed to install the PVE.

You can see ConnectX-3 interfaces on Management Interface screen (as ens1 and ens1d1 in a below image. I'm wondering they aren't ens1d1 and ens1s2.)

{{ virtualization:proxmox_ve_6_2_mlx4_en_enabled.png |}}

You do nothing on Proxmox VE environment after the installation because the PVE automatically loads the 'mlx4_en' module.